SPAIN

Question 1

What is the name of PDO wines in Spain? (DOP in Spanish)

Answer 1

Denominacion de Origen Protegida

Question 2

What is DO? What is DOCa?

Answer 2

Denominacion de Origin, Denominacion de Origen Calificada

Question 3

What are the 2 DOCa regions in Spain?

Answer 3

Priorat and Rioja

Question 4

What is DOQ in Catalan? Who uses the term instead of DOCa?

Answer 4

Denominacio d’Origen Qualificada, Priorat

Question 5

What does VP stand for? What does it mean and who uses it?

Answer 5

VInos de Pago, translates to single vineyards/ Chateau’s with high reputations.

Question 6

What are Vino de la Tierra (VdlT)?

Answer 6

mass-produced, bulk wines in Spain

Question 7

What are the ageing classifications in Spain?

Answer 7

Joven, Crianza, Reserva, Gran Reserva

Question 8

What is Generico synonymous with? What region?

Answer 8

Joven, Rioja

Question 9

What are the minimum ageing requirements for Joven, Crianza, Reserva and Gran Reserve?

Answer 9

Joven: None
Crianza: 2 years total, 6 months barrel (1/2 year)
Reserva: 3 years total, 12 months barrel (1 year)
Gran Reserva: 5 years total, 18 months barrel (1.5 year)

Question 10

What is the climate like in Rias Baixas? What grape is grown here and why?

Answer 10

Moderate, Maritime climate. Albariño is grown here. It works in this region because it has a thick skin and is fungal resistant

Question 11

What winemaking technique(s) is used in Spain for bulk wines?

Answer 11

Grown on flatter lands, not using oak and semi-carbonic maceration

Question 12

What is the most widely planted variety in La Mancha? What does it produce?

Answer 12

Airen, produces white wines!

Question 13

What is Tempranillo known as in La Mancha?

Answer 13

Cencibel

Question 14

What is the dominant variety grown in Jumilla and Yecla?

Answer 14

Monastrell (Mourvedre)

Question 15

What is grown in the Valencia region? (3)

Answer 15

Black: Monastrell
White: Merseguera
Fortified: Muscat of Alexandria produces Moscatel de Valencia

Question 16

What is Bierzo known for?

Answer 16

Mencia

Question 17

What is grown in Rueda? (2)

Answer 17

Verdejo & Sauvignon Blanc

Question 18

What is grown in Toro? (2)

Answer 18

Tinta Toro! Tempranillo and Garnacha

Question 19

What is grown in Priorat? Style?

Answer 19

Premium red wines from Garnacha and Cariñena (Carignan)

Question 20

What is the climate/growing area/ soil like in Priorat?

Answer 20

Steep slopes with a higher altitude. Higher Diurnal shift. The soil consists of Mica/Llicorella which reflects light and assists with ripening

Question 21

What are most plantings in Spain grown as/ vineyard technique? Why?

Answer 21

Most plantings are grown as a bush in Spain. This protecs the grapes from burning, raisining, over-ripening. Assists mediating high temperatures

Question 22

What are the 3 sub-regions of Rioja? Which one is premium which one is not?

Answer 22

Rioja Alta (premium), RIoja Alavesa (premium), Rioja Oriental/Baja (bulk)

Question 23

Why are Alavesa and Alta more premium?

Answer 23

Higher altitude (500-800m above sea level). Cooler region influenced by cool maritime winds from the Atlantic. Steep hills fore hand harvesting

Question 24

Why is Rioja Oriental better for bulk wine production? What is produced?

Answer 24

Flatter lands are better for bulk wines, The main grape is Garnacha

Question 25

Where is Tempranillo MAINLY grown in Rioja?

Answer 25

Rioja Alta and Rioja Alavesa

Question 26

What did Spain use to age their wine in? Why not anymore?

Answer 26

American Oak. Flavours were too strong (coconut, vanilla, etc) and consumers liked more neutral reduced flavour palettes.

Question 27

What is grown in Ribiera del Duero?

Answer 27

Tempranillo

Question 28

What is the most widely planted white wine in Rioja?

Answer 28

Viura

Question 29

What are the 2 local varieties grown in Rioja?

Answer 29

Mazuelo and Graciano